No one said, “If it’s too good to be true,” but Clarkston school officials found many “unresolved issues” in connection with a state program offering a laptop computer to each sixth grader.
Matt McLarty, executive director for technology, offered an overview and evaluation of the program at the Monday, Oct. 13 board meeting. While officials generally promote use of new technology, trustees are not ready to plug in to the latest state proposal.
“Freedom to Learn,” a project heavily promoted by House Speaker Rick Johnson, proposes to help students increase proficiency in core curriculum areas with the help of interactive computer software. To achieve this, the program plans to offer grants to school districts to obtain the laptop computers for sixth grade students.
While the combination of state and federal funds would provide $250 per student for the first year of a four-year lease, the district would be required to match the grant with $25 per student.
In addition, McLarty pointed out a number of obligations to be fulfilled by either the state-selected vendor or the school district. The state-required wireless data connection for the laptops would require a wireless system to be installed at middle and high schools.
Other issues include cost and maintenance of batteries and other peripheral equipment, security and storage, program upgrades and ongoing funding after the first year of the state grant.
McLarty estimated a first-year cost of at least $108,000 to the district. With “optional” items such as staff laptops, printers, charging stations and insurance, that first-year cost could be as much as $120,000.
Even if funding were not a question, McLarty wondered about the capability of the system to deliver the desired information to students.
“Would we be able to provide the content they’re used to [with classroom connections]?” McLarty asked.
Timing of the program is as much a question as ongoing funding. The earliest Clarkston might participate would be the fall of 2004, but the district will be in the midst of realigning curriculum for the new building grade structure.
“If we wait until 2005, will the program dollars be available?” McLarty asked.
Several officials thought back to the state’s Teacher Training Initiative, which a few years ago provided a desktop computer to every teacher. That program was also criticized for not providing ongoing support and maintenance.
“There’s so many unanswered questions [for Freedom to Learn] that it’s way worse than the TTI program,” Secretary Stephen Hyer said.
While Superintendent Al Roberts called the program “a worthy goal,” he said the county superintendent’s association is recommending against participation.
“There are a lot of hidden costs at a time when we’re not prepared to take them on,” Roberts said.
“If they want to do something for us, put the money into our foundation grant and let us teach kids,” Trustee Sheila Hughes said.